Multipurpose mesh

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose mesh, and the mesh includes a plurality of main frames; and a mesh fabric surrounding the main frames, in which each of the plurality of main frames includes a first frame and a second frame, a first end of the first frame and a first end of the second frame are rotatably coupled with each other, and a second end of the first frame and a second end of the second frame are rotatably coupled with each other, and each of the plurality of main frames is spaced apart from each other is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0134447, filed on Nov. 6, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mesh used for washing laundry, and more particularly, to a multipurpose mesh for washing laundry that is capable of storing and transporting laundry (e.g., as a laundry collection box or basket), and that may be used inside a washing machine to protect laundry from becoming tangled and/or damaged.

BACKGROUND

In general, it may be an economical or time consuming burden to wash laundry daily at home, where the user collects an amount of laundry in a collection box, basket or bag, and washes the laundry all at once. However, when the user collects and washes different types of laundry all at once, the laundry may become tangled and/or twisted. Thus, the laundry items may become damaged.

In order to solve the problem, a method of putting laundry in a washing net and washing the laundry (see the KR20-0395458) may be utilized. As a result, the laundry is put into the washing net for washing, thereby reducing or minimizing tangling or twisting of the laundry during the washing process.

However, the washing net in the related art has a structure in which an upper net and a lower net simply overlap and are connected with each other by a flexible seam to accommodate a storage space therein. The conventional washing net may not serve any other function other than housing or storing laundry during the washing operation. When using the conventional washing net, moving and placing laundry from a collection box or basket into the washing net may be burdensome.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a multipurpose mesh for conveniently washing laundry without moving and putting the laundry into the mesh for washing.

The present disclosure has also been made in an effort to provide a washing machine including the multipurpose mesh.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multipurpose mesh, including a plurality of main frames; and a mesh fabric surrounding the main frames, in which each of the plurality of main frames includes a first frame and a second frame, a first end of the first frame and a first end of the second frame are rotatably coupled with each other, and a second end of the first frame and a second end of the second frame are rotatably coupled with each other, and the main frames are spaced apart from each other.

A fixing part configured to rotate the second frame in a predetermined direction may be provided at the first end of the first frame.

The multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure may further include support frames between individual ones of the plurality of main frames, configured to maintain a distance between the main frames.

A coupled or joined form of the main frames and the support frames may correspond to an internal form or shape of a drum of a washing machine.

The multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure may further include a lifter inside the mesh fabric, configured to move laundry.

The multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure may further include a section or compartment mesh fabric inside the mesh fabric, configured to divide an interior of the mesh fabric into a plurality of sections or compartments.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a washing machine, including a housing having an opening; a door configured to open and close the opening; a rotatable drum inside the housing; a motor on a rotation shaft of the drum; and the multipurpose mesh inside the drum.

The multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure may be used as a laundry collection box, hamper or bag, and may be placed in a washing machine directly (e.g., in a state as the laundry is collected in the multipurpose mesh). In addition, the multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure advantageously allows the laundry to be washed without moving and placing the laundry into a separate washing net. As a result, the multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure provides a more convenient way to wash laundry, as compared to the conventional washing net.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary multipurpose mesh according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective views of an exemplary multipurpose mesh according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an exemplary operation of the multipurpose mesh according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described.

An Exemplary Multipurpose Mesh

An exemplary multipurpose mesh of the present disclosure, which may be used as a laundry collection box or basket and as a washing net during washing operations, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings below.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multipurpose mesh (hereinafter, referred to as the “mesh”) of the present disclosure includes main frames 10 and a mesh fabric 20.

The main frame 10 includes a first frame 11 and a second frame 12, configured to rotatably couple with each other. Particularly, a first end of the first frame 11 and a first end of the second frame 12 are rotatably coupled to each other, and a second end of the first frame 11 and a second end of the second frame 12 are rotatably coupled to each other, to form the main frames 10. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a plurality of main frames 10. Each of the plurality of main frame 10 is spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the main frame 10 includes a first main frame 10 a, a second main frame 10 b, and a third main frame 10 c.

A distance between each of the main frames 10 is not restricted. However, a distance between an uppermost surface (e.g., first main frame 10 a) and a lowermost surface (e.g., third main frame 10 c) may be equal to or larger than a depth of an entire drum, so that the mesh may be in contact with the drum when the mesh is placed in the drum during a washing operation.

A fixing part or tab 11 a configured to rotate the second frame 12 in a predetermined direction (e.g., one direction) may be provided at a first end of the first frame 11. The fixing part or tab 11 a may also be provided at a second end of the first frame 11.

A material of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 is not particularly limited, but may be a synthetic resin, a synthetic rubber, a metal, an alloy having flexibility and resilience, or a combination thereof.

The exemplary mesh of the present disclosure may further include support frames 30 between the plurality of main frames 10, spaced at a predetermined distance between the main frames 10 (see FIG. 2). Particularly, a first support frame 30 a and a second support frame 30 b may be between the first main frame 10 a and the second main frame 10 b, to separate the first main frame 10 a and the second main frame 10 b. A third support frame 30 c and a fourth support frame 30 d may be between the second main frame 10 b and the third main frame 10 c, so that the second main frame 10 b and the third main frame 10 c are separated. The support frame 30 is coupled with the mesh fabric 20 when coupled with the main frame 10. The coupling method is not particularly limited. A material of the support frame 30 is not particularly limited, but may be a synthetic resin, a synthetic rubber, a metal, an alloy having flexibility and resilience, or a combination thereof.

The shape of the main frames 10 and the support frames 30 may correspond to an internal shape of the drum of the washing machine. The main frames 10 and the support frames 30 are coupled with each other to form an appearance of the exemplary mesh of the present disclosure. The appearance (e.g., a size of the mesh) of the mesh corresponds to the internal shape (e.g., an internal size) of the drum, the mesh placed in the drum may be in closer contact with the internal side of the drum.

The mesh fabric 20 surrounds the plurality of main frames 10. The mesh fabric 20 may surround the plurality of main frames 10, so that the uppermost surface (e.g., first main frame 10 a) among the plurality of main frames is opened to place the laundry into the mesh. A material of the mesh fabric 20 may include commercially available fabric having visible openings between crossed lines, cords or strings of the fabric.

The exemplary mesh of the present disclosure may further include a section or compartment mesh fabric 40, which is attached inside the mesh fabric 20 (e.g., an internal wall of the mesh fabric 20), configured to divide the interior of the mesh fabric 20 into a plurality of sections (see FIG. 3). When the section or compartment mesh fabric 40 is included inside the mesh fabric 20 as described above, it is possible to separate different types of laundry placed in the mesh for storing and washing purposes. Therefore, it is possible to minimize damage to the laundry. A material of the section mesh fabric fabric 40 may include commercially available fabric having visible openings between crossed lines, cords or strings of the fabric, and the material may be the same as or different from the material of the mesh fabric 20.

The exemplary mesh of the present disclosure may further include a lifter 50 (FIG. 4) that is inside of the mesh fabric 20 (e.g., the internal wall of the mesh fabric 20) for moving the laundry. When the lifter 50 is inside the mesh fabric 20 as described above, it is not necessary to form a lifter inside the drum of the washing machine (e.g., a front-loading washing machine), thereby decreasing a production cost of the washing machine. A material and a structure of the lifter 50 may include commercial available materials having sufficient stiffness to lift the laundry and sufficient compressibility to avoid damaging the laundry. One or more lifters 50 may be included, depending on the size of the drum of the washing machine.

The exemplary mesh of the present disclosure may further comprise a magnet. One or more magnets may be sewn into the exemplary mesh fabric 20, and configured to be attached to an inner surface of the drum, which can keep the mesh in contact with the drum when the drum comprises a magnetic material.

The exemplary mesh of the present disclosure during a washing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the exemplary mesh of the present disclosure, the plurality of main frames 10 is supported and spaced apart from each other by the support frame 30. The main frames 10 have a shape (e.g., a circular shape) surrounded by the mesh fabric 20, so that the mesh may be utilized as a collection box or a storage box for collecting laundry (see FIG. 5). When the laundry is collected inside the mesh fabric 20, the plurality of main frames 10 may be separated by the laundry, so that the mesh of the present disclosure may serve as a collection box or basket without an additional support frame 30. When the section mesh fabric 40 is attached to the inside of the mesh fabric 20, it is possible to separate and store the laundry (e.g., according to laundry type).

The fixing part 11 a is at a first end of the first frame 11, so that when the mesh of the present disclosure is used as the collection box, basket, or bag, the rotation of the second frame 12 is limited. Particularly, when the mesh of the present disclosure is used as the collection box or basket, the lowermost surface (e.g., third main frame 10 c) is in contact with a floor when the fixing part 11 a is positioned on the second frame 12. Movement of the second frame 12 is fixed by the fixing part 11 a and the floor surface, so that the rotation of the second frame 12 is limited.

When the laundry is collected in the mesh of the present disclosure, the collected laundry is directly placed in the drum of the washing machine without having to move the laundry from a separate collection box, bag or basket. As a result, the mesh of the present disclosure may be used as a washing net during the washing operation. The size of the main frames 10 and the support frames 30 correspond to the internal shape and/or the internal size of the drum of the washing machine, so that the mesh of the present disclosure is in close contact with the inside of the drum. In one embodiment, one or more magnets may be sewn into the mesh fabric 20, which can keep the mesh in contact with the drum when the drum comprises a magnetic material.

When the lifter 50 is inside the mesh fabric 20, the laundry may smoothly move within the drum while washing, even though the drum does not include a lifter.

When the washing operation is completed, a user may pull the mesh from the drum, since the present mesh is generally collapsible, and then take the mesh to another location (e.g., a dryer, a clothesline, etc.) to dry. When the mesh of the present disclosure is pulled from the drum, the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 among the plurality of main frames 10 may rotate fold or collapse in a predetermined direction (e.g., away from the opening to the drum), so that it is possible to easily pull the mesh from the drum (see FIG. 6). The hinge between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 rotates in a predetermined direction so that the mesh is folded, so that it is possible to easily pull the mesh from the drum, and place the mesh in the drum.

An Exemplary Washing Machine

The present disclosure provides a washing machine including a housing 100, a door 200, a drum 300, a motor 400, and a multipurpose mesh 500. The washing machine will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.

The housing 100 includes an opening 110 through which laundry (e.g., in the mesh 500) may be placed in or removed from the inside of the drum 300. The door 200 is coupled to the housing 100 and is configured to open and close. A material and a structure of the housing 100 and the door 200 are not particularly limited, and may include commercially available materials.

The rotatable drum 300 is installed inside the housing 100. The laundry and detergent are inserted into the drum 300, so that washing may be performed. A material and a structure of the drum 300 are not particularly limited, and may include commercially available materials.

The motor 400 is mounted on a rotation shaft of the drum 300, to provide power for rotation of the drum 300.

The multipurpose mesh 500 is in close contact with the inside of the drum 300, and a detailed description is generally the same as the above description, thereby being omitted here.

The washing machine of the present disclosure includes the multipurpose mesh 500, so that it is not necessary to include a separate lifter inside the drum 300, and it is possible to wash laundry while minimizing damage to the laundry, compared to the conventional washing machine.

An exemplary washing machine may be a drum-type washing machine in which the rotation shaft of the drum 300 is installed in a horizontal direction.

Therefore, the multipurpose mesh according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may advantageously stores laundry as a collection box or basket, effectively transports laundry to the washing machine, and/or minimizes (i) damage to the laundry items and (ii) time and energy transferring laundry from a conventional collection basket to the present multipurpose mesh.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art would understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit of the present disclosure.

Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are not limitative, but only an example in all respects, the scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims described below, not the detailed description, and it should be construed that all of changes and modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims and equivalent concept are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multipurpose mesh, comprising: a plurality of main frames; and a mesh fabric surrounding the main frames, wherein each of the plurality of main frames includes a first frame and a second frame, a first end of the first frame and a first end of the second frame are rotatably coupled with each other, and a second end of the first frame and a second end of the second frame are rotatably coupled with each other, and each of the plurality of main frames is spaced apart from each other.
 2. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, further comprising a fixing part at the first end of the first frame, configured to rotate the second frame in a predetermined direction.
 3. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support frames between the plurality of main frames, configured to maintain a distance between the main frames.
 4. The multipurpose mesh of claim 3, wherein the plurality of support frames comprises a first support frame and a second support frame, wherein a first end or side of each of the first and second support frames is connected to the first frame, and a second end or side of each of the first and second support frames is connected to the second frame.
 5. The multipurpose mesh of claim 3, wherein a coupled or joined form of the main frame and the support frame corresponds to an internal shape of a drum of a washing machine.
 6. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, further comprising a lifter inside the mesh fabric, configured to move laundry.
 7. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, further comprising a section or compartment mesh fabric inside the mesh fabric, configured to divide an inside of the mesh fabric into a plurality of sections or compartments.
 8. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, configured to function as a collection box, basket or bag.
 9. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, wherein the plurality of main frames is supported by the support frame, having a shape surrounded by the mesh fabric, configured to serve as a collection box, basket or bag.
 10. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of main frames comprises a synthetic resin, a synthetic rubber, a metal and/or an alloy.
 11. The multipurpose mesh of claim 1, further comprising a magnet, configured to secure the mesh fabric to an internal part of the drum.
 12. A washing machine, comprising: a housing with an opening; a door configured to open and close the opening; a rotatable drum inside the housing; a motor on a rotation shaft of the drum; and a multipurpose mesh in contact with an inside part of the drum.
 13. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the multipurpose mesh comprises a plurality of main frames and a plurality of support frames, the plurality of support frames are between different ones of the plurality of main frames and are configured to maintain a distance between the plurality of main frames, and a mesh fabric surrounding the plurality of main frames.
 14. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the multipurpose mesh comprises a plurality of sections or compartments.
 15. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the multipurpose mesh is configured to function as a collection box, basket or bag.
 16. The washing machine of claim 12, further comprising a lifter inside the mesh fabric, configured to move laundry.
 17. The washing machine of claim 12, further comprising a magnet, configured to secure the mesh fabric to the inside part of the drum. 